Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a gymaphobe, labor and delivery will probably be one ofyourgreatest physical feats. While exercise duringyourpregnancy can keep you in fighting shape, you’ll need more than muscle when you’re weathering contractions at one minute apart. … Continue reading →

If the birth story of your little one’s arrival includes a pit stop at the operating room, you’re not alone. These days, a reported 30 percent of moms have cesarean deliveries. And while it’s important to understand that having a … Continue reading →

A lot happens in the moment a baby is born. Not only for you, but also for the new tiny human being you’ve delivered. There are people who claim they can remember their own birth, right down to the first … Continue reading →

We asked an OB/GYN, a labor and delivery nurse, two doulas and a midwife to reflect on their years attending births and offer up some of their best advice on the labor process. Listen up! The panel of professionals: Dawn … Continue reading →

Can a well-stocked bag of supplies make your labor and delivery experience pain-free? It’s unlikely. However, having everything you might want or need at your fingertips will help you feel more in control and make your stay—and yes, maybe even … Continue reading →

Labor and delivery: It’s a wild ride, a life-changing adventure, the ultimate event before you finally meet your baby. It’s also an experience chock-full of words and phrases you may not know or understand. But take heart! We’ve gathered the … Continue reading →

When most people think about childbirth, words that come to mind may include miraculous, intense and even painful. A word that rarely makes the list, however, is orgasmic. But some women claim that the labor experience can be just that. … Continue reading →

Prebaby to-do lists can be mighty long. There are doctor visits to remember, prenatal vitamins to take, names to consider, gear to purchase, maternity leave to negotiate—oh, and one more tiny thing: There’s a birth plan to write. When I … Continue reading →

Ah, the due date. Most moms-to-be look longingly toward the designated day, circling it in red on the calendar and counting down the weeks until baby’s big debut. Oddly enough, however, very few babies are actually born on their due … Continue reading →

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! For the next nine months, you’ll no doubt have a lot on your mind —including childbirth. Will it hurt? How badly? How can it be made easier and less painful? Although the answers to these questions will … Continue reading →